Disability and Crohn's

[joel2016]

Curious who is on disability because of Crohn's ? , I have been told I should not be and looked down upon because I am. I have had crohn's for 20 years and have suffered through a lot and over the last 5 to 10 years working became more and more difficult So as of now I am unable to work and I collect Disability ( Person with disability ) In B.C.
Any feedback is wanted and welcome.

 

[tots]

I have been out of remission for 5 years.
Took a 3 month short term disability.
My Dr said I should be on full disability. Only you can
decide, your the only vote that counts. So, do whats
best for you.


Good luck and feel better soon, and just because you are better does not mean going back to work either!!

Take care

lauren

 

[joel2016]

Thanks Lauren
I know and believe I should be on disability. Any person who has gone through what I have and probably many have on here know the challenges. People who have not experienced this awful disease have no idea what it is and this is chronic and life long.
Also it when I was able to work it was hard to maintain employment because employers need reliable staff they do not want someone who is able to work for a few months when you feel good but you can not come to work when you have a flare.
I also got denied disability but then was approved after My doctor provided a letter stating my disease affects my daily living activities.

 

[Pug Gamer]

I have a total of 8 illnesses including crohns, heart and lung conditions and ive just had my disability taken away (UK), I dont have the health to fight it. I feel that everyone is at different levels of health with each condition and of course how many illnesses you have. So only you know if you feel you could have and maintain a job. I wish I could have a 'normal' life and be well enough to work but its just the luck of the draw. No one can tell you, only you know. Everyone will have there opinions and think 'well shes walking around a shop, she must be fine' but they dont see when your in bed in agony for days etc so dont ever take notice of peoples opinions.

 

[valb]

Curious who is on disability because of Crohn's ? , I have been told I should not be and looked down upon because I am. I have had crohn's for 20 years and have suffered through a lot and over the last 5 to 10 years working became more and more difficult So as of now I am unable to work and I collect Disability ( Person with disability ) In B.C.
Any feedback is wanted and welcome.

BC as in Canada? Just curious because I have been wanting to look into it. (ON here) Been off work for a year now ( 2 surgeries) and not ready to go back anytime soon. Not sure what steps are. I am nervous of what others will think of me if I was to be on disability. I look fine on the outside but they have no idea what Igo through physically and mentally!!!

 

[tots]

The only time I have been in remission is when I am not working full time.
Quality of life is very low. My days off are not your "normal" Sat and Sun.
I work retail and they are also not together. I spend my days off in bed most of the
day and still feel the fatigue.

When do we balance the way work makes us feel so that we may reagin a portion of our health again?

Do many or any of us know remember or know what normal health feels like ??


Lauren

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

I have a total of 8 illnesses including crohns, heart and lung conditions and ive just had my disability taken away (UK), I dont have the health to fight it. I feel that everyone is at different levels of health with each condition and of course how many illnesses you have. So only you know if you feel you could have and maintain a job. I wish I could have a 'normal' life and be well enough to work but its just the luck of the draw. No one can tell you, only you know. Everyone will have there opinions and think 'well shes walking around a shop, she must be fine' but they dont see when your in bed in agony for days etc so dont ever take notice of peoples opinions.

hi im so sorry you have lost your disability payments. Shame you didnt lose your illnesses with it eh !!! our system here stinks. You have to be nigh on dead b4 they let u have disability here. Then if u can wipe ur own bum ...oh well u must be just fine.so no payment argh. How the hell are we supposed to live...as if the stress of the condictions are'nt enough,we have to worry about how we are to pay the bills.. I dread the day i cant work i really do.
Love hugs n understanding to all :ghug:

 

[ronroush7]

The only time I have been in remission is when I am not working full time.
Quality of life is very low. My days off are not your "normal" Sat and Sun.
I work retail and they are also not together. I spend my days off in bed most of the
day and still feel the fatigue.

When do we balance the way work makes us feel so that we may reagin a portion of our health again?

Do many or any of us know remember or know what normal health feels like ??


Lauren

Not me.

 

[Jennifer]

We have many members who are on disability from Crohn's disease, myself included. Check out the support group here: http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=51690

 

[NiKo_V]

Here in the UK - CD has somewhat been lost within a lack of political progress where IBD was seemingly placed in the same bucket as IBS, so deemed to be minor.

Some major progress for 2016, with new guidelines and definition where C&C is now considered as incurable life-long illness within the same category as Cancer, Diabetes & Dementia etc(s) which should change the fortunes of many life's whom have been perhaps somewhat forced to work simply to pay bills when the reality is they are never going to be able to even try and manage, never beat, their condition all the time they are working...

 

[Pug Gamer]

Here in the UK - CD has somewhat been lost within a lack of political progress where IBD was seemingly placed in the same bucket as IBS, so deemed to be minor.

Some major progress for 2016, with new guidelines and definition where C&C is now considered as incurable life-long illness within the same category as Cancer, Diabetes & Dementia etc(s) which should change the fortunes of many life's whom have been perhaps somewhat forced to work simply to pay bills when the reality is they are never going to be able to even try and manage, never beat, their condition all the time they are working...

That is good news that theres a chance of the system seeing IBD as a proper debilitating life long illness. I was very much made to feel like 'its just stomach pain, that doesnt mean you cant do the same as everyone else'. So a very big change is definitely welcome from me lol.

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

And me about ruddy time. I really hope we get to benefit from these changes. Well i for one am praying we do. Lord knows we need more help n support than we have had.

Love n best wishes to all. Take care n keep as well as possible.
:hug:

 

[Jimmy Lee]

Oh how I can identify with the "well, you don't LOOK sick" comments!!! I think it's universal. The fact is NOBODY KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH! This is YOUR journey. Imagine if those telling you that you shouldn't be on disability had this horrible disease. Do you think they would be singing the same song? I doubt it!

Just this morning I have been reminded of something I'd like to share. It's amazing how quickly we lose sight of the obvious. I'm on disability. I am so blessed that I was approved the first time (had a lawyer but he didn't even get anything because it happened before there was any back pay due). While I have not had surgery because of Crohn's, I've had my own battles. I'm convinced Humira got me in remission! I'm also convinced certain cancers were beginning to thrive due to it and had to discontinue using it...but that's another story for another time. So now I realize I don't have constant diarrhea. It's gone! I went to the doctor yesterday and he told me I was in remission most likely.

I feel good (in spite of the fact that since my diagnosis I've now been diagnosed with MS, degenerative disk disease, a herniated thoracic disk, torn meniscuses in both knees, and probably a few more diseases, lol...I have to laugh because I can't change it). I felt guilty. I wasn't hurting (from Crohn's). Can I go back to work (I'm 61 years old, btw)? Should I? Then it hit me. When I stopped working my whole demeanor changed, and all my friends and family noticed it. My stress level came down so much it changed my life. And we are all aware of how stress and Crohn's go together. But somehow I forgot that element. If I DID go back, I'd be under stress all over again. Then, as it happens in the United States, if (and when) I have a flare up, I'd have to be out of work a year to be eligible for disability again. I cannot survive that. It's difficult enough living on social security disability, albeit I am so thankful to God for it. But don't lose sight of the mental stress. As all the others have so wisely posted, only you know your body. Be kind to yourself. Goodness knows, the rest of the world won't be as kind! My best wishes for you.